As swimmers dare
to lie face to the sky
and water bears them,
as hawks rest upon the air
and air sustains them,
so I would learn to attain
freefall, and float
into Creator Spirit's deep embrace,
knowing no effort earns
that all-surrounding grace.
Denise Levertov
I was introduced to this poem just last year at a time in my life when there was much uncertainty. It has served as both comfort and challenge to me. Jo Potter’s recent situation has reminded me of this poem again. The early days after her surgery when prayer was all we could offer on Jo’s behalf, reminded me of trying to “learn to attain freefall and float into Creator Spirit’s deep embrace.” It wasn’t easy to trust God’s deep embrace. It seemed to us that more information, more explanation would ease our worry and move us forward. But the truth was (and always is) that it is only in that deep embrace of our Creator’s Spirit that we can find peace and know the grace that surrounds us always.
I offer the poem to you, hoping that in your times of uncertainty and fear, you might be reminded to trust. We all need somewhere to go when we are unsure of ourselves and the world around us seems to be falling apart. There is a place to go – to the Spirit’s deep embrace. There is someone to trust – the God whose grace is all encompassing. Learning to trust is one of the hardest lessons we adults will ever know. In this nature, and our children can teach us the truth – only when we trust do we find the deepest lessons of faith.
Pastor Susan
